Best Podcast Microphones
Looking for the best podcast microphone for your project isn’t easy or fun. There are a ton of different podcast mics in the pro audio world and it can be almost impossible to choose between them all.
Most podcasting mics have several key features that you should consider: USB, interface ability, and sound quality. Obviously, you want something that makes your voice should crisp, clear, and inviting, but you also need to make sure it will connect to your current setup and work for everything you need.
We’ve reviewed most of the top podcasting microphones in the industry, so you can see which one is right for your setup.
Top 3 Mics for Podcasting
Contents
| Best Podcast Microphones | Model | Price |
|---|---|---|
 |
Shure SM7B | Check Price |
 |
Blue Yeti USB Mic | Check Price |
 |
Audio-Technica AT2020 | Check Price |
Top Microphones for Podcasting in 2020
This is a complete list of the best podcast microphones that will give your podcasting voice some clarity.
Shure SM7B Dynamic Microphone
Shure is no doubt one of the most renowned and reputable microphone brands in the world. This brand which was founded in 1925 has made so much impact in this industry that some of its products are now regarded as industry standards.
One microphone from the brand that podcasters will really love is the SM7B. This is a dynamic microphone with a cardioid polar pattern. It is ruggedly constructed and even the cartridge which is very well protected is replaceable, making durability a non-issue. It also offers a high level of electromagnetic hum rejection so the risk of it catching noise from your other gear is reduced. The same goes for emissions from your computer monitors which it is equipped to adequately shield.
The yoke mounting attachments and the internal shock mount system ensure that both internal mechanical noise and external movements will not get into your recordings.
Its frequency response range of 50Hz to 20kHz means that its application is wide. For podcasting, simply switch the bass roll-off to cut down the low rumbles and with the pop filter and windscreen, plosives and breath noise will be all but eliminated for a crystal clear recording.
Pros
- Type/Polar pattern – Dynamic/cardioid.
- Frequency response range – 50Hz to 20kHz.
- Included accessories – Yoke mount, standard windscreen and the A7WS.
Cons
The SM7B requires a lot of gain so you will need to power it through a pre-amp or cloudlifter to achieve optimal gain levels.
Suggestion
Simply put, this is the microphone you go for when you are ready to take your podcast to a professional level.
Blue Yeti USB Microphone
When Blue Designs came on the scene in 1995, it met a number of brands that were already well established in the microphone and audio equipment industry. Undeterred, it quietly went to work and over time, it has shown itself to be a brand with a lot to offer.
One of its offerings which lots of beginner podcasters have fallen in love with is the Yeti USB microphone. This is a condenser microphone that was designed for easy use by practically anyone regardless of their knowledge of audio gear.
It’s a plug and play microphone that requires no additional gear or complicated wiring. Simply connect it to your computer via the USB port and you are good to go.
It comes with its own stand for easy setup and practically every other thing you need is right there on its body. There is the gain knob for controlling how much gain gets into your computer and there is the headphone output for monitoring your direct sound.
For the more techy users, you have the switchable pickup pattern knob which allows you select any of the four available patterns which are cardioid, bidirectional, omnidirectional and stereo.
Pros
- Type/polar pattern – Condenser/cardioid, bidirectional, omnidirectional and stereo.
- Frequency response range – 20Hz to 20kHz.
- Included accessory – Stand, USB cable.
Cons
While it is a great starter microphone, it cannot be compared to more elaborate setups.
Suggestion
This is probably the one microphone you can use as a Podcaster with great ease and still achieve a fairly high audio quality.
Audio-Technica AT2020 USB+PK Microphone Pack
Audio-Technical is currently one of the top manufacturers of audio equipment in the world. It offers top quality microphones, headphones and other equipment and accessories widely used in the music performance and production industry.
What we are looking at here is the AT2020USB+PK Microphone Pack from the brand. This pack includes the AT2020 USB microphone, a studio boom arm, a tripod stand, a headphone, a USB cable and a pivoting stand mount among other things.
The AT2020USB is designed for easy use. Unlike most professional microphones, this does not require additional gear or complex connections. All you need to do is plug it into your computer’s USB port and you are good to go.
The microphone is a condenser type which offers very high fidelity. It uses USB power which also powers the preamp and AD converter which makes it possible for audio signals to be converted quickly from analog to digital.
Still on the microphone, you have a headphone output for latency-free monitoring. It comes with a volume control for the headphone level and a mix control that allows you balance the levels between your microphone and any pre-recorded audio.
This here is everything you need to start podcasting right away.
Pros
- Type/polar pattern – Condenser/cardioid.
- Frequency response range – 20Hz to 20kHz.
- Accessories – Headphone, studio boom arm, USB cable, and threaded stand mount.
Cons
If you have background noise, this will likely pick them up.
Suggestion
This is a complete pack for anyone who wants to start the podcasting journey with a basic professional audio quality.
Rode smartLav+ Lavalier Microphone
Wherever top microphone brands are being listed, one brand that is sure to constantly make this list is Røde Microphones, LLC. This company has made so much contribution to the music production industry that it will be difficult to find any top studio without one or more of its products.
The SmartLav+ is a Lavelier type microphone designed specifically for use with mobile phones. It can of course also be used with a laptop since it uses a 1/8 jack. Now you can vlog or record your podcast on your mobile phone without compromising on audio quality.
Being handsfree, it does not require extensive setup. Simply clip it to your shirt collar or any other suitable location and it will pick your voice clearly, thanks to its omni pickup pattern.
It ships with a foam windscreen/pop filter which minimizes plosives from your voice and interference from wind around.
With the sturdily built clip and Kevlar reinforced cable, you can use this comfortably anywhere without fear of damaging either the cable or the clip.
For anyone looking for ways of improving the quality of the audio recordings on their smart phones and other mobile devices, this is a good option to explore.
Pros
- Polar pattern – Omni.
- Frequency response range – 20Hz to 20kHz.
- Included accessories – Clip, foam windscreen
Cons
It has limited application as it is mainly designed to work with mobile devices.
Suggestion
This microphone offers great convenience for recording on smartphones and other mobile devices. It will also offer increased versatility for mobile audio recordings.
Fifine K669 USB Podcast Condenser Microphone
As far as the world of microphones is concerned, the name Fifine is pretty much an unknown quantity. This brand was established in 2009 and the simple fact that it made this list is because it has something that will interest podcasters. We are referring to the brand’s USB podcaster’s microphone, the K669.
This is a condenser microphone that requires no complicated setup. It’s a simple plug and play device that can drastically improve the quality of your podcasts.
It is a condenser microphone with a cardioid polar pattern. You are therefore assured of increased fidelity and better focused directional recordings.
The microphone ships with a tripod desktop stand and a 6 foot long USB cable to make the entire recording process easy.
Just plug the cable into the microphone and the other end into your computer’s USB port and it’s set. You can also use it for your smartphone or any other mobile device. You will just need a USB adaptor.
The only thing left to do is control your gain level with the volume control on the microphone and that’s it.
Pros
- Type/polar pattern – Condenser/cardioid.
- Frequency response range – 20Hz to 20kHz.
- Included accessories – Tripod desktop stand, USB cable.
Cons
The USB cable is attached to the microphone and cannot be detached. This can become an issue if the USB cable develops any issues.
Suggestion
This is a great offer for any podcaster on a very tight budget. You will improve your audio quality at little to no cost.
Rode NT-USB Condenser Microphone
We are ending this review with another product from Rode. Previously, we looked at the Lavelier from the brand. This time, we will be looking at the NT-USB Condenser Microphone.
This is a microphone designed to offer vloggers and podcasters an opportunity to upgrade their audio quality to a professional level without breaking the bank and without a steep learning curve.
Requiring no additional gear and technical know-how, this USB microphone simply plugs and plays with ease. The included USB cable connects to the microphone and the computer and immediately becomes available for recording.
On the microphone, you have a headphone output that allows for a latency-free monitoring. You can control the volume on the headphone with the headphone volume knob while the second knob on the microphone controls the balance between the microphone’s volume and the volume of any pre-recorded audio playing from the computer.
When you purchase this microphone, you get the microphone and a desktop tripod stand, a USB cable, a pop filter, a ring mount and a storage pouch. This is all you need to immediately start recording professional level audio.
Pros
- Type/polar pattern – Condenser/cardioid.
- Frequency response range – 20Hz to 20kHz.
- Included accessories – Desktop tripod stand, USB cable, pop filter, ring mount, storage pouch.
Cons
This works best in very controlled spaces because of its sensitivity.
Suggestion
There is no doubt that this microphone will improve the quality of an audio recording. The great thing is that it does so at a very affordable cost.
What You Should Get!
Finally, we have come to the end of this review and it’s been another wonderful time going through these different products. Though we had a number of interesting products with many great features, choosing one as our pick for today was pretty much an easy decision.
Though we considered cost, there was no way we could have picked any other microphone as our Top Podcasting Mic than the Shure SM7B. Though this was by a long way the most expensive microphone on our list, it was also the most professional, offering the overall best quality and value.
